Kannur man dies of heatstroke

Kozhikode: A man who was hospitalized after falling ill while digging a well at Pallipoyil in Kannur reportedly due to heatstroke died in the early hours of Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Sanal Kumar MV (37) of Krishna Nivas, Mowanchery, who had recently returned from the Gulf. Kumar reportedly developed uneasiness around 1.20pm on Wednesday while carrying out well construction work at his neighbour Baiju's compound. He was first taken to a clinic at Pallipoyil and later shifted to Baby Memorial Hospital in Kannur, where he died at 2.55am on Thursday while undergoing treatment. Health department officials in Kannur said the clinical symptoms and preliminary postmortem findings indicate death due to heatstroke. "His body temperature had risen to 107°F, and he had developed brain edema. He also suffered cardiac arrest," a senior official said. Relatives said Kumar experienced nasal bleeding and a sharp drop in blood pressure, and did not respond to treatment despite medical efforts. Meanwhile, several heat-related incidents have been reported amid the intense summer conditions. An anganwadi teacher, Anila, was hospitalised after suffering sunburn on Friday and was advised two days' rest by doctors at a govt hospital. In Malappuram, a four-year-old girl from Wandoor sustained sun burn while playing outside her house on Wednesday. Malappuram district collector has issued an alert saying that the rising heat can lead to serious health problems and may even result in death. The district collector has urged avoiding going outdoors between 11am and 3pm and limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.